Justin Crawford to Represent Team USA at Premier12, Continues Breakout Season

Phillies outfield prospect Justin Crawford has been selected to represent Team USA at the WBSC Premier12™ Tournament, which kicks off on November 9 in Mexico.

The 20-year-old will be part of a talented U.S. roster looking to secure its first gold medal at the international event, where the world’s top 12 baseball nations will compete for glory.

Justin Crawford to Represent Team USA at Premier12

Congratulations to Justin Crawford on being named to the Team USA Premier12 Roster! pic.twitter.com/9EuLPoeWM1

— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) October 22, 2024

Justin Crawford, the Phillies’ first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas), is coming off a standout 2024 season in the Minors.

He began the year with the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, hitting .301 with six home runs, 27 stolen bases, and plenty of highlight-reel moments over 70 games before he was promoted to Double-A Reading on July 12 and didn’t miss a beat, batting .333 over 40 games with three homers and 15 more stolen bases.

His impressive .317 batting average ranked sixth among all Minor League players with at least 400 at-bats this season, underscoring his ability to make consistent contact and wreak havoc on the basepaths. Crawford’s success has earned him the title of #3 prospect in the Phillies’ system and the #53 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.

JUSTIN CRAWFORD BOMB ALERT! 🚨 He launches his third Double-A homer to give the Fightins some insurance! #justincrawford #fightinphils pic.twitter.com/gkXlIlTU7C

— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) September 12, 2024

The Premier12™ Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in international baseball, featuring two groups of six teams each, competing in a round-robin format. Team USA is in Group A, alongside Mexico, Venezuela, the Netherlands, Panama, and Puerto Rico.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the finals, held at the Tokyo Dome. Group B games will be hosted in Chinese Taipei and Nagoya, Japan, featuring teams from South Korea, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Australia, and the two host nations.

For Crawford, the opportunity to represent Team USA is both a major milestone and a chance to continue building momentum on a breakout season. The tournament will offer Crawford his first taste of high-stakes international competition, potentially facing off against some of the best prospects and seasoned veterans from around the globe.

With his elite speed, contact skills, and defensive ability, Justin Crawford is expected to play a significant role for Team USA. As the tournament unfolds, he’ll have a chance to showcase his talents on a global stage—one that could further cement his status as one of baseball’s rising stars.

Team USA’s first game will take place on November 9, and fans in Philadelphia will be keeping a close eye on Crawford’s performance as he represents both his country and the Phillies organization.

If his 2024 season is any indication, Justin Crawford is poised to make some noise at the Premier12™.

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